Latest news with #Gers
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Premier League side 'watching' Rangers' Mohamed Diomande
The 23-year-old is a key man for Gers and has grown into his role at the club since arriving from Nordsjælland in January 2024, initially on loan before making it permanent that summer. The Daily Express is now reporting the Toffees have identified the Ivory Coast international as one of several midfield targets for the summer window. Everton are looking to spend after a period of having to balance the books and David Moyes will be backed after his resurgence saw them finish 13th in the Premier League. Read more: Francesco Farioli in 'two-way fight' for job after Rangers talks Dan Purdy profiled with Rangers set to appoint new transfers chief Central midfield is a key area needing addressed with Abdoulaye Doucoure becoming a free agent and Orel Mangala back at Lyon after his loan. Versatile Diomande is being looked at as one option. Rangers wouldn't want to sell but every player has a price and they would hope to make a significant profit in order to allow his departure. They paid £4.3m to sign him permanently a year ago. He finished the season with six goals and nine assists in all competitions, including a Europa League strike.
The National
8 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Celtic hero on why Rangers takeover 'doesn't matter'
Gers fans were delighted on Friday when the takeover of the club by a US consortium involving health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises was finally officially confirmed. It has brought a degree of optimism for what lies ahead with fresh investment expected to help them build a better squad. But the Hoops are the country's top dogs and won't give up that mantle without a fight. Indeed, former winger Petta expects them to defend their title again next year and make it five-in-row. He insists Rangers need much more than a takeover to bridge the gap. Read more: Philippe Clement 'turns down Sparta Prague managerial position' Celtic player admits uncertainty over future with club The Dutchman told the Sunday Post: 'For me, it doesn't matter what happens at Rangers. Sure, keep an eye on it and be vigilant, but they shouldn't be able to get too close to Celtic in the next year. 'I think Celtic will win the league and that will be five-in-a-row. It's getting higher and higher all the time. 'It's up to Rangers to be stronger and more consistent to make a proper challenge over 38 games. 'Let's see if they are capable of doing it under the new owners and the new manager. "There are still lots of questions unanswered at Rangers. 'If I was at Celtic right now I'd be thinking to myself: 'Bring it on and let's see what you've got'. I would not be scared in any manner of Rangers.'
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kyle Lafferty gives next Rangers boss some priceless advice as he ranks Johnstone Burgh glory up there with Ibrox trophies
Former Ibrox hitman is desperate to land silverware for the junior side two years after dropping down the ranks. Former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has urged whoever the new manager is to ensure they have a Scottish football insider by their side or risk being overwhelmed by the job. Lafferty reckons lessons must be learned from last season where too many new signings struggled to adapt to the demands of the domestic scene. His former Gers and Northern Ireland team mate Steven Davis was linked with a coaching role as part of a potential Steven Gerrard return. And Lafferty said: 'They definitely need someone in there who understands the club and league. 'I know bringing in foreign players is difficult. They might not realise how big the club is. They might arrive thinking Scottish football isn't the greatest league in the world. 'But it's tough. I've played in it for many years and there's a lot of good players, young and old. Experienced players. 'It is tough to hit the ground running. Some of the players took a wee while to warm up. 'But yeah, having someone who knows the club, has a bit of authority and isn't afraid to pull someone up if they're not performing - that's needed around the club. 'Ancelotti is a top name. His dad has been one of the best managers in the world.' Barry Ferguson steered Gers to the end of the season as interim boss following Philippe Clement's sacking in February but after winning just six of his 15 games in charge was told his services were no longer required. Lafferty reckons his old team mate did a solid job. But it was one of Ferguson's first comments after taking charge that was most telling. He said: 'When Fergie got the job I knew there'd be a massive improvement. And there was. 'In one of his first interviews he hit the nail on the head. He said it wasn't that the players weren't good enough, they just couldn't live with the expectations of playing for such a big club as Rangers. 'But every single game they were underdogs they went out and performed. Against Celtic they dominated the game. 'But whenever the expectation was them having to win it became a bit too much for them. 'Listen, Ibrox is a difficult place to play. You need to hit the ground running. 'I think a lot of players arrived not knowing how big the club was. But they soon realised. It's tough place to play.' Lafferty's trophy cabinet may be bulging with three Scottish Premiership gongs, a Scottish Cup winners' medal, two League Cups, Serie B and the Scottish Championship title. But the former Ibrox striker and Northern Ireland legend insists adding a Junior Cup gold to the collection with Johnstone Burgh would mean as much as anything he's ever achieved. Few, if any, players as decorated at the top level as Lafferty have ever graced the stage which lies ahead at Broadwood Stadium this afternoon as Burgh tackle Tranent. It's been 57 years since the Keanie Park club last lifted the famous trophy - and 25 years since they were last in the final. But with 3000 fans set to follow them through to Cumbernauld, Lafferty feels the weight of expectation. And he's as hungry to deliver as he has been on any big occasion in a career that's taken him from Rangers, Burnley, Palermo, Norwich, Sunderland, Hearts and Kilmarnock. Not to mention 89 caps for his country and a run to the quarter finals of Euro 2016. But asked if winning in front of 4500 fans this afternoon would mean just as much, the 37-year-old said: 'Yeah, 100 per cent. It is another medal that will go in the cabinet. 'It might not be the biggest competition that I have played in, but it is a medal. I am playing for Johnstone Burgh and I have come here to win trophies and collect medals. 'There has been a lot (of finals) and I have been quite lucky to win the majority of them but I know how important the Scottish Junior Cup is for the club. 'That was one of the first things they said to me when I came here, that they were desperate to win it again.' Lafferty has come to the end of his second season at the West of Scotland Premier League side who finished third behind Clydebank and Auchinleck in the table. Swapping packed stadiums at Ibrox and Windsor Park for wide open terraces around the non-league level hasn't been an issue. There's been offers to return to the SPFL. But Lafferty is content. He said: 'I love it. It is a great club heading in the right direction. I get on really well with the two owners Scott and Jack. It is a proper family club who get the community involved with things. 'Obviously, the football is different. I am not turning out in front of tens of thousands of fans but it is a good group of lads. 'I said when I finished my career I did not want to do it with a clubs settling for mid table. 'I wanted a challenge, either a team that was fighting relegation or a team that was fighting for promotion and this is ideal for me. 'Even when I have been here there have been clubs speaking about me joining them. I have had two years here and I am happy here. I came here to win trophies and get to finals and Sunday is one of them.' Lafferty reckons he has one year left in his playing career. And he'd love to spend it at Keanie Park. He said: 'I would like to be. We have spoken so the conversation is there about next season. I know I am getting on and if I am here next year, it will probably be my last season. 'I'd like to go out leaving the club in the Lowland League. But even after I hang up my boots I would like to stay on as a coach at the club. 'It is something I have looked at, I have my own soccer academy as well so I think I can pass on my experience and hopefully bring the young lads on because I think we don't have a lot of lads from the 21s coming through. 'Hopefully that will be a side I can look after.'
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Kris Boyd shares insight to Rangers takeover as Davide Ancelotti becomes next manager favourite – plus a path to glory
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Americans have paid top dollar for Rangers. One financial expert claimed in this week's Scottish Sun that Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises will have forked out £110million. Now they will demand some bang for their buck. 2 New Rangers boardroom leader Andrew Cavenagh with ex-chairman John Gilligan Credit: PA 2 Ex-Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti is a leading contender for the Rangers job Credit: Getty Cavenagh spoke of his desire to win domestic honours, and compete deep into the latter stages of European competitions. He said everything Gers fans wanted to hear. But to do so, Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe must surround themselves with the right people in EVERY area. Sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially starts work this week coming, so I would expect a new head coach to be next through the front door at Ibrox — and within days. Davide Ancelotti is favourite, ahead of Russell Martin, after it became clear there would be no romantic return to the club for Steven Gerrard. I've already said the appointment of Ancelotti would be a gamble. But all managerial appointments come with an element of risk. Yes, he's worked for dad Carlo at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG and Napoli. But the buck stopped with the old man when things went wrong, and Ancelotti jnr was insulated from any criticism. That certainly won't be the case at Rangers. Ronald de Boer had played at Ajax and Barcelona before rolling up at Ibrox — and even he was astonished by the fierce scrutiny of everything that happens at Gers. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed Whoever comes in as head coach won't have the same autonomy over signings that was afforded to previous gaffers like Gerrard. Thelwell and the recruitment team have probably already identified areas that need strengthened, and the players they would like to strengthen them. If they haven't, they have not been doing their job. Ancelotti or Martin will have a say, but their main priority will be to coach those players — and deliver the results which Cavenagh craves. For me, Gers need seven or eight first-choice starters this summer, and Cavenagh has promised a £20m warchest. That still might not be enough to tick every box — but Rangers will have to get players in. They have already axed 19 this summer, from favourites like Ianis Hagi, to loan stars like Vaclav Cerny and kids like Adam Devine. There still remain huge question marks over some who remain — like Nedim Bajrami and Oscar Cortes. There are no bad players at Ibrox. But many have under-achieved time and again, and could have no complaints if they found themselves playing second fiddle to newcomers next term. The new season is not far away, with the Premiership fixtures due out on June 20, and a Champions League qualifier on July 22 or 23. The new era is certain to start away from Ibrox, with champions Celtic enjoying flag day at Parkhead at the start of August. It could be a tough one. Remember Dick Advocaat and Ange Postecoglou losing at Tynecastle on their first days in the job? Mind you, both did win the league. The new Gers boss will be hoping for the same outcome, and a tough away opener will give him the chance to lay down a marker and hint at better times ahead. Gers have not struggled against Celtic in recent times. They have had back-to-back wins and a draw in the league, after the penalty shootout heartache in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden last year. But too often they have fallen short at St Mirren, Dundee, Kilmarnock or Aberdeen. Never mind Cavenagh's cash — they should have had more than enough of a financial advantage in previous seasons to see off the rest. Now Gers must build a squad capable of swatting aside the others, and taking their chances in the Old Firm head-to-heads. And they do need a squad. I go back to the 2008 Uefa Cup final run, when Walter Smith had one team for Europe, and virtually another for league games. Lee McCulloch and Charlie Adam used to go daft when they were dumped on the bench after returning from Thursday night Euro ties. Celts showed they have two teams when they made all those changes at Pittodrie before the rematch with Aberdeen in the Cup final. Gers must emulate that strength in depth. I expect a flurry of transfer activity now. I genuinely don't think the gap between the big two is even that wide. Yes, Celts won the title by 17 points, but if Rangers can start to handle the games which have tripped them up in recent times, the gap can close. I'm not making excuses for Gers. They simply haven't been good enough. But now it's got real because Cavenagh and Co are here for the long haul. They are people of real financial acumen, and they will want to see Gers perform in the Champions League. That's still a million miles away. For now, they need to focus on the bread and butter of domestic action. The new sporting director, new head coach, and new players, must put in total effort every single day. Because guess what? That's what Celtic have done in 13 of the 14 last seasons. They have battled to late goals, dramatic wins and everything that needs to do be done to win a title — with hard work and everyone pulling in the same direction. I'm excited for the new season because the top five will all be beaming. Gers have new investment, so too do Hearts after Tony Bloom's £10m cash injection. Aberdeen will feel great after the Cup final win, and likewise Hibs, after their third place finish. And, of course, Celts will rightly start as favourites after landing another title and the Premier Sports Cup. Some of their fans refused to believe this American dream would ever come true for Rangers. They claimed Cavenagh was going from the Land of the Free to the land of the free transfers. But this fistful of dollars has made it all feel very real. So, have a nice day, y'all... Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Rangers to change name of owning company after American takeover as US consortium plan MAJOR behind the scenes shift
The new owners are getting to work straight away after taking control of the club earlier this week NAME GAME Rangers to change name of owning company after American takeover as US consortium plan MAJOR behind the scenes shift THE parent company of Rangers is planning to undergo a significant name change following the club's recent takeover. The Light Blues are looking to go from a public company to a private one. Advertisement 2 It was announced on Friday that Rangers' takeover deal had went through Credit: Willie Vass 2 And the new board now have some big plans in regard to the club's name Credit: The Sun The proposed change is subject to approval from shareholders at an upcoming meeting later this month. Since November 2012, the Ibrox-based club has operated under the name 'The Rangers International Football Club PLC'. However, under the new leadership of chairman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, spearheaded by vice chairman Paraag Marathe, the company intends to adopt the name 'Rangers International Football Club Limited'. This proposed shift symbolises a new era for the club and its corporate structure, music to the ears of Gers fans. Advertisement The issue will be decided at the club's Extraordnary General Meeting (EGM), which is set to take place on 23 June at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. This pivotal meeting will allow shareholders to deliberate and vote on the proposed changes. If approved, the move to a private company is expected to bring a fresh direction to the club, strengthening its foundations under the new ownership. This comes after the takeover was announced earlier this week, with £20million of fresh capital invested into Rangers. Advertisement Football finance expert Kieran Maguire spoke to SunSport when the confirmation of the takeover broke. He said: "FFP is less of an issue than the club losing money and they need to address that first. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed "They have some big hitters and experienced people joining [the board] though." The new owners come into the Ibrox club with plenty of football and business experience. Advertisement New members of the Rangers board, including chairman Cavenagh, are successful businessmen from across the pond, with new vice-chair Marathe presiding over 49ers enterprises. He is also the chairman at Leeds United, but despite being under the same ownership structure, the Gers and the Whites are operating as two separate entities. The first action of the new board will be to appoint a new head coach, with the permanent position still vacant after Philippe Clement's departure in February. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
